Casey Means will get her affirmation listening to for surgeon common : NPR

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Ben Curtis/AP We're following the affirmation hearings for the Trump administration. See our full politics protection, and observe NPR's Trump's Phrases podcast or join our Politics publication to remain updated.

Who: Dr. Casey Means

Nominated for: Surgeon Common

You would possibly know her from: Casey Means is a wellness influencer, entrepreneur, and writer. Final 12 months, she printed a bestselling guide about weight loss program and metabolic well being Good Power.

She coauthored the guide along with her older brother, Calley Means, who works for the Trump administration as a particular authorities worker and is an in depth advisor to Well being Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.She didn't full her surgical residency and doesn't have an energetic medical license, which might be a significant departure from previous surgeon generals.She runs an organization that promotes using steady glucose displays.She has described America as in "non secular disaster," questioned the childhood vaccine schedule and using contraception and has known as out what she calls "corruption" on the FDA.

What does this position do? Often called the nation's high physician, the surgeon common leads the greater than 6,000 members of the U.S. Public Well being Service, which embody physicians, nurses, and scientists working at numerous federal companies.

The surgeon common serves within the Division of Well being and Human Companies and points public advisories and studies to convey well being info to the general public.

What's anticipated on the listening to

It has been greater than 5 months since Trump introduced Casey Means would substitute his preliminary alternative, Fox Information contributor Dr. Janette Nesheiwat.

She will likely be becoming a member of the senate listening to remotely, which is uncommon. The Well being, Schooling, Labor and Pensions committee, which is holding the listening to, didn't clarify why she could be becoming a member of nearly. Her brother, Calley Means, shared in Might that she was pregnant.

Senators will possible have robust questions for her about her {qualifications} and potential conflicts of curiosity. In monetary filings launched forward of the listening to, Means dedicated to resigning from her steady glucose monitor firm if confirmed. She additionally disclosed monetary ties to the complement business from which she promised to divest.

Means is 38 years outdated and a graduate of Stanford Medical College. She accomplished most of her residency coaching to be a head and neck surgeon, however give up earlier than ending.

Within the years since, she pivoted to what's often called practical medication, a discipline that focuses on root causes of sickness and sometimes encompasses way of life change and various medication approaches that aren't at all times evidence-based.

She briefly had a practical medical observe in Oregon. However she didn't develop into board licensed and her Oregon medical license is at present listed as inactive.

Means grew her public profile on social media and thru her guide Good Power. She did the rounds on large podcasts within the wellness house along with her brother and coauthor Calley Means. Her message tends to echo Kennedy's and that of his allies within the Make American Wholesome Once more motion, particularly in flagging the excessive charges of continual diseases within the U.S.

"What we're coping with right here is a lot greater than a bodily well being disaster — it is a non secular disaster," she stated at a congressional roundtable led by Republicans final 12 months.

She usually talks concerning the U.S. meals provide and environmental toxins and she or he criticizes the pharmaceutical business. Kennedy has stated she would be the biggest surgeon common ever.

Pushback on a number of fronts

There was vital opposition in opposition to Means's affirmation from medical and public well being specialists. They level to her lack of management or scientific expertise, one thing that surgeon generals historically have, and a few of her views. For instance, she has raised considerations concerning the security of the childhood vaccine schedule and questioned hormonal contraception. She has additionally endorsed uncooked milk, as has Kennedy, who could be her boss.

"The Senate's possible affirmation of Casey Means as Surgeon Common, a person who by no means accomplished medical coaching, would mark a disastrous precedent for the nation's high public well being position," Dr. Jerome Adams wrote in a press release to NPR. Adams served as surgeon common within the first Trump administration.

"Quite a few certified candidates — absolutely skilled, licensed physicians who champion prevention and wellness —may lead the 6,000-person [U.S. Public Health Service] with distinction," he added. "Confirming Means displays a capitulation to political pressures, not a want to get the very best particular person for the job."

Earlier this 12 months, opposition to her nomination additionally emerged from a few of Kennedy's MAHA supporters, partly out of concern that she would not be vital sufficient of vaccines or carry ahead different priorities of their motion.

Nonetheless, it appears unlikely that the Senate would have scheduled the listening to if the Trump White Home weren't assured that Means may very well be confirmed. The withdrawal of earlier well being official nominations from this administration have all occurred earlier than a listening to befell.